Perfect weather and sights!
One of the things that we always expect to happen during our vacations is that the weather is perfect! So far, Tuscany has delivered just that with gorgeous, sunny days that are not too hot and nights that are cool enough for comfortable sleeping. With this weather, every road trip has been a pleasure and today’s was no exception, as we headed into the direction of Montepulciano.
Driving through the landscape, it is just a joy to behold all the gently rolling valleys and cross the hills that separate them. The winding roads give a clear indication why Italians would love their supercars, as these roads are made for powerful, highly maneuverable vehicles.
Our first stop was in the small town of Pienza, which is simply gorgeous. Its small, highly walkable center is filled with little restaurants, such as the one in an alley where we ate a fantastic meal in an atmosphere where the owner enjoyed our presence.
View from Pienza
Pienza Alley
Montepulciano
da Vinci’s Horse
Streets of Montepulciano
Streets of Montepulciano
Streets of Montepulciano
Tuscan Fields
Little streets and a beautiful church (go check the labyrinth) really show why Pienza is a world heritage site. Among towns, this is a relatively new settlement, as the entire town was rebuilt as an ideal Renaissance city by Pope Pius II and named after him.
Montepulciano is the larger of the two towns that we visited today. Sitting on a limestone ridge, this town is a hill climb in just about every direction, as streets are steep each and every way. The medieval fortress is very much in evidence in many sections, as the heavy walls dominate any time one gets closer to the edge of town. Wine merchants are everywhere and many indicate that they ship acorss the globe.
On our return trip, I stopped to get some landscape shots, such as the last image in the series; plenty of work to do in editing images when I get home, as these landscapes are just beautiful to see.
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Author: jansenphoto
A Fresh Perspective
Photography is more than just a vehicle for capturing the world around me; it provides me with a palette and a set of brushes, with which I paint not only what I see, but also look to express the emotions that are evoked by the scene in front of me in that moment.
Growing up in the Netherlands exposed me to a wide cross-section of visual arts that laid the foundation of my photographic view of all that surrounds me. Early influences were the Dutch Masters of the 17th century, to whom I was introduced by my grandfather during museum explorations; favorites among them are the scenes of quotidian life depicted by Jan Steen and Frans Hals and the vivid landscapes of Jacob van Ruisdael.
My classical high school education was supplemented by the Boijmans Van Beuningen museum, where I spent many a lunch hour exploring its great collection. Here I was introduced to surrealism with a particular love for the approach taken by Salvador Dali; Dali also rekindled my appreciation for the work of Hieronymus Bosch, who often showed the folly of us mortals.
Universal Connections
My approach to any photographic subject is to look for understanding first; in this I look to establish either a connection between the viewer and the subject or capture the connection of the subject with its surroundings. The captured image then aims to portray this connection from a perspective that is part of my personal interpretation.
This interpretation is often a form of externalized introspection, which may alternately display the connection of isolated beings and items with their environment or highlight the whimsy of the profound world, in which we find ourselves. The universe is full of connections, many of which are waiting to be discovered; part of my journey as a photographer is to document these connections.
Any assignment, be it an event, a product shoot or a portrait session is always approached through communication with the client; this is where the first connection is established. Ideas are exchanged and a collaborative plan of action forms, ultimately resulting in a set of images that aim to exceed the expectations of each client.
And, lest we forget, it is important to have fun while practicing the serious business of photography!
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Dutch goes the Photo! 
Such beautiful scenes.
Love that field! But I wouldn´t like to work it 😀
Such great exercise!
Exactly 😀